Visa advice for students already in the UK

Advice on how to get the entry documents you need if you're an international student coming to study at Plymouth and currently inside the UK

New Student Visa route

On 5 October 2020, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) introduced a new immigration system that includes a new Student Visa route. The Student Visa is replacing Tier 4 so, over the next few months, we will replace the term "Tier 4" where this is mentioned on our webpages and in documents, and will instead refer to the "Student Visa route".

We do not anticipate that there will be any significant changes in visa requirements for our current Tier 4 students, but we will advise students further once the full immigration rules for the new route are published and in use.

Applying for a Student visa (formerly Tier 4 General)

Please read the information on UKCISA website carefully before applying.

Tell us you'll be making a Student visa application in the UK and you'll be fully supported by International Student Advice (ISA). We'll email you when your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is ready to let you know about our services and to book you an appointment with an advisor.

We provide a service for suitable applications for standard, priority and premium applications. This means we will check your application and documents and take them from you for posting. We'll then act as your correspondent and deal with any UKVI queries on your behalf.

Find out more about how to submit your application and what documents you will need.

Email us at studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk (we aim to respond to your email within two working days) or call us on +44(0)1752 587676


To apply for a Student visa (formerly Tier 4) extension from within the UK you must: 

  • hold an unconditional offer for a full-time course (or be a continuing student) at the University of Plymouth and have been issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
  • meet academic progression requirements (contact ISA if you are unsure) 
  • have applied for and received an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate, if your University of Plymouth course requires it (mostly PhD courses) — this can take several weeks so make sure you leave enough time
  • have a current Student visa where you are currently sponsored by an HEI, an Independent School or an embedded college, or have a Tier 4 (Child) student visa or be a migrant with a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2)
  • prove that you can pay for your course and living cost
  • hold a visa that doesn't expire more than 28 days before your new course is due to start if you're applying for a Student visa extension for a new course
  • have spent less than five years studying at degree level in the UK on a student visa by the time you complete your new/current course (with exceptions including PhD studies).

How much money will you need?

You must show that you have one year’s full tuition fees plus £1015 per month for the remainder of your course for living costs (up to a maximum of nine months of your course = £9207).

If you're a financially sponsored student, your sponsor must be officially recognised as such (e.g. British Council, a government, an international organisation or company, a university). If your sponsor is not meeting all your costs then you must provide proof that you have the remaining funds available.

Your tuition fees can either be held in your bank account for the 28 days required or you can pay them directly to the university. Your CAS can be updated with any additional fee payments you make if you inform the University.


Your family's immigration

If you're currently in the UK and your family members are already with you, you'll need to seek guidance on whether they can extend their visas as your student dependants. Contact us at studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk.


Switching to Plymouth

If you're already in the UK and currently hold a student visa for a different institution then you will need to make a new visa application in order to enrol on your new course. If your visa is due to expire more than one month before your new course is starting, you'll need to leave the UK to make a new Student visa application.


Standard Service

£475 fee for student and £475 per dependant. This can take up to eight weeks.

  • Make an appointment with an advisor to check your online application and to submit your documents.
  • Your visa application will be posted to UKVI by ISA.
  • You will receive a biometric letter at the point of submission of your online Student visa application
  • You will need to pay £19.20 at the Post Office and your fingerprints will be taken as well as a facial scan.
  • Six to eight weeks after submitting your visa application you will receive an email asking you to collect your passport and new visa from ISA, Nancy Astor building.
  • You should read the conditions of your Student visa to make sure you comply with the immigration regulations. 
  • Within seven days of receiving your passport and visa back you will need to update your police registration certificate (if required).


Priority Service

£952 fee for student and £952 per dependant. This can take up to three weeks

    • Make an appointment with an advisor to check your online application and to submit your documents.
    • Your visa application will be posted to the UKVI by ISA.
    • You will receive a biometric letter at the point of submitting your visa application online
    • You will need to pay £19.20 at the Post Office and your fingerprints will be taken as well as a facial scan. You will need to do this within 2 days of submitting your application online
    • 10 days after submitting the application a decision should be made on your application
    • 3 weeks after submitting your visa application you will receive an email asking you to collect your passport and new visa from ISA, Nancy Astor building.
    • You should read the conditions of your Student visa to make sure you comply with the immigration regulations
    • Within seven days of receiving your passport and visa back you will need to update your police registration certificate (if required).


    Premium Service

    £1,085 fee for student and £1,085 per dependant. This can take up to ten days after the date of appointment at your chosen premium service centre.

    • Make an appointment with an advisor to submit your application and documents.
    • Your visa application will be submitted online and an advisor will help you make an appointment at your premium service centre.
    • You can take your documents along to your appointment.
    • Five to ten days after your appointment you will receive an email asking you to collect your visa from ISA. You will need to bring your passport along for collection.
    • You should read the conditions of your Student visa to make sure you comply with the immigration regulations.
    • Within seven days of receiving your passport and visa back you will need to update your police registration certificate (if required).